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Location: Watching half my country turn into Gilead
3,530 posts, read 4,177,144 times
Reputation: 2925
Quote:
Originally Posted by BajanYankee
There is a difference between....
Paying more for a great view in a city you're already living in and...
Moving to a city for a view of the skyline.
I thought I was clear about that. What is it I'm missing? You hear people say they are moving to LA for the weather, the beach, the mountains, etc. You don't hear people say they are moving to Philadelphia for its awesome skyline. You don't even hear people say they are moving to New York for its awesome skyline. A skyline isn't a "lifestyle" anyway. And when people say they are moving to a place like L.A. or Colorado for "the mountains," they are usually talking about a more active, physical lifestyle, not just having mountains for the sake of aesthetics.
To skyline enthusiasts, a skyline is a lifestyle, a living, breathing thing that defines a city and is always changing. Hence the cap on skyline threads. Anytime you pour billions of dollars into something, people will take interest. Perhaps I'm in the minority, I'll concede, but if I'm moving to the big city, it better look the part. Perhaps why I have issues with Phoenix and Boston-- I can find bigger skyline alternatives. To me, a skyline should be powerful and imposing, a reflection of a cities prestige. Mountains and the like are natural, but skylines are manmade--they scream human ingenuity and defiance. And as far as things to do, go to the top of a skyline. No, it's not hiking, but it has its pleasure all the same. So point being, all things being equal (job security, money, COL, etc), I'll take the skyline--and I bet I'm not the only one.
To skyline enthusiasts, a skyline is a lifestyle, a living, breathing thing that defines a city and is always changing. Hence the cap on skyline threads. Anytime you pour billions of dollars into something, people will take interest. Perhaps I'm in the minority, I'll concede, but if I'm moving to the big city, it better look the part. Perhaps why I have issues with Phoenix and Boston-- I can find bigger skyline alternatives. To me, a skyline should be powerful and imposing, a reflection of a cities prestige. Mountains and the like are natural, but skylines are manmade--they scream human ingenuity and defiance. And as far as things to do, go to the top of a skyline. No, it's not hiking, but it has its pleasure all the same. So point being, all things being equal (job security, money, COL, etc), I'll take the skyline--and I bet I'm not the only one.
So you'd rather live in Houston over Boston because it has a more imposing skyline?
Location: Watching half my country turn into Gilead
3,530 posts, read 4,177,144 times
Reputation: 2925
Quote:
Originally Posted by Calisonn
So you'd rather live in Houston over Boston because it has a more imposing skyline?
Personally? If all things were equal money wise, yes. The skyline would be the deciding factor, just as the weather would be to someone else. I chose Philadelphia over Boston precisely because of that reason. I get great pleasure in looking at a great skyline, just as someone gets from viewing a Mt Rainier. In 2014, city amenities, outside of public transportation, are largely the same. It's the city's character that is the deciding factor, and skylines, a great measure of a city's "character", do it for me (if money is no object).
How on earth did this 1 post troll.... I mean OP drag Philly into this?
Clearly everything is subjective. I see California as one of if not " Thee" most beautiful state in the US. ( Maybe HI, FL, or WA) will have something about that.
Anyway as far as the argument over natural landscape vs man made buildings, that's really subjective. I love it all but I'm a city kind of guy who loves walkability, entertainment, various ethnicities, cool neighborhoods whether they're brownstones, greystones, rowhomes, semi detached, or separate with large lawns. Also a great skyline is always good to have.
I had a friend that resided in South Philly/CC or what is now known as graduate hospital. This was 1990 when he received a job offer in Phoenix and was so excited about it after the interview and visit. He would visit and tell our group of friends how much he loved the beautiful canyon of mountains he lived near. The sunshine, it's an up and coming city and how his South Philly neighborhood was sucking the life out of him, Yaddda yadda yadda. The photos he'd show were very nice. Funny thing is by 1994 he wanted out. Claimed the mountain views and canyon living was just boring and soulless and how he missed the pace and bustle of a real city and of course the food, etc.
So he attempted to move back but could not get his old job back nor one that paid what he was making at the time. He did find employment in Chicago and loved it even in the winter. Said the skyline was killer, loved the loop, Rush St, etc. Two summers ago I saw him at the KOP Mall and found out he moved back to Philly in 2010 after he retired. ( His words ) The city has transformed marvelously and I just grew tired of hearing about " Da Bearz" etc. ( lol)
He's happy, likes Chicago's skyline better but really enjoys Philadelphia's and the views he gets from his rooftop patio in Fairmount. We get a kick out of him being someone who moved to Arizona in a serene environment then retires to a city like Philly. (lol) it's all subjective.
Last edited by Lenses & Lights.; 10-17-2014 at 12:10 PM..
Reason: S
I feel like some people just like to be contrary to everything else (people who move somewhere just because of a skyline) just to say they are different. It's the whole hipster mentality of not wanting to be 'mainstream'.
I feel like some people just like to be contrary to everything else (people who move somewhere just because of a skyline) just to say they are different. It's the whole hipster mentality of not wanting to be 'mainstream'.
I really don't know what mentality it is besides people being different because "they are." I reside in the farthest end of North Hollywood and the next town Tujunga has lot's of hills and beautiful streets and the people I know who live there, love it. It's not for me. Neither is DTLA.
I like to visit all of these places including Malibu but would not reside there. If I were to stay in LA I would probably settle down on the Westside or in it's vicinity. With that said, I'm returning to Philly and I'm not a hipster nor is my friend who returned 4 years ago. We're Gen X'ers.
To skyline enthusiasts, a skyline is a lifestyle, a living, breathing thing that defines a city and is always changing. Hence the cap on skyline threads. Anytime you pour billions of dollars into something, people will take interest. Perhaps I'm in the minority, I'll concede, but if I'm moving to the big city, it better look the part. Perhaps why I have issues with Phoenix and Boston-- I can find bigger skyline alternatives. To me, a skyline should be powerful and imposing, a reflection of a cities prestige. Mountains and the like are natural, but skylines are manmade--they scream human ingenuity and defiance. And as far as things to do, go to the top of a skyline. No, it's not hiking, but it has its pleasure all the same. So point being, all things being equal (job security, money, COL, etc), I'll take the skyline--and I bet I'm not the only one.
Okay, but what does that have to do with a "lifestyle," which is what this thread is about in case you haven't noticed. What is the skyline lifestyle?
Location: Watching half my country turn into Gilead
3,530 posts, read 4,177,144 times
Reputation: 2925
Quote:
Originally Posted by BajanYankee
Okay, but what does that have to do with a "lifestyle," which is what this thread is about in case you haven't noticed. What is the skyline lifestyle?
The skyline lifestyle is simply obsessing over skylines, plain and simple. Following any new developments closely on tall and supertall construction. Endlessly photographing buildings from different vantage points. Visiting observation decks. Plotting their construction. Debating their merits with other enthusiasts. Sometimes, illegally visiting a site.
Is it a niche lifestyle? Sure, in the same way knitting or kayaking is. But given the high internet interest, even on here, it's not that obscure. Skylines matter to people--otherwise they wouldn't exist and people wouldn't debate them so vigorously. They are one of the best indicators of a city's power and prestige, and of human ingenuity. The end all, be all? No, as evident by Boston, European cities, etc. But they matter and they are a "lifestyle" to a substantial enough segment of the population. Might sound silly, but there is an adventurous spirit to cracking the skies--whatever floats your boat, right?
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